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Top 5 things you need to know about dining on a cruise  

Dining on a cruise can be confusing. There is a lot of food and a wide variety of different places to get it from. So as someone who has been on quite a few cruises here are my top 5 things you need to know when dining on a cruise ship.  

1. Know what is included

Most cruises include A buffet, a main dining room and a pool side grill. However, they often also have cafés, bars, Room service (which is free on DIsney but not on other lines) specialty dining. Specialty dining are restaurants that cost extra. They can vary from steakhouses to Italian restaurants to sushi bars. Know when booking your cruise what is included. Because nothing is more disappointing than getting onboard and finding out that the restaurant you really wanted to go to is 100 extra dollars and fully booked up. Also, sometimes when you book your cruise you can get one complimentary specialty dining meal. Also, if you are interested in specialty dining, you must book it in advance. Another thing to consider is drinks packages for alcohol and depending on the cruise line soda. On DIsney soda is included but not on other lines. So do your research and know what is included and what is not.  

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2. Know how dining works

Different cruise lines run dining differently. Most cruise lines have breakfast available in the buffet and a restaurant. Lunch is normally a buffet or poolside grill. Dinner is served in the main dining room. How dinner is organized depends on the line. Norwegian has anytime dining which means you can eat dinner at any time within a certain window. Disney has rotational dining which means that they have three main dining rooms and at your assigned time you eat at the restaurant you are assigned. You rotate through all the restaurants over the course of your cruise. Then there is the normal way dining works on a ship. There is one dining room and you have an assigned time to be there and eat. Knowing how the line you are sailing on runs their dining is a very good idea.  

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3. Know your options 

If there is one thing you will never be on a cruise, it is hungry. Cruises have a ton of options when it comes to dining. From buffets to grills, pizzerias, bars, cafes, ice creameries, restaurants, and room service. There are a lot of options on cruise ships. So, know what those are. For example, when you first get on the cruise most people rush to the buffet. However, most people don’t know that there is normally a restaurant open and serving lunch that day. Basically, you should know what is open for each meal. The best way to do this is to research and to explore the ship when you get onboard. You never know you might find a spot that not many people are aware of. Also do not assume that your only options are going to be chicken fingers, hamburgers, and ice cream. Cruise ships also have salads, sandwiches, and other healthy choices. Know where you can get those things. So that you can fully enjoy your cruise.  

Here’s How Disney Cruise Line Is Changing Buffet Dining

4. (Make sure they) Know your allergies

Most cruise ships are very accommodating to allergies, vegetarians, vegans, dairy free, gluten free and other dietary restrictions. All you need to do is let the cruise ship know. They should be able to accommodate your diet. Also be sure to let your server know so that you can make sure that you do not have an unpleasant experience. However, you may want to avoid the buffet because it is not uncommon to have the serving utensils from different foods to be used on other food. So essentially if you are cruising with an allergy or other dietary restrictions make sure the cruise knows and double check before you eat anything to make sure it is safe.  

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5. Know that you can ask.

On most cruise lines you can ask for alterations to be made to dishes. Within reason for example if you want fries instead of mashed potatoes or if you do not want gravy with your steak. You can even order more than one of something. So, if you are torn between two different desserts or appetizers you can order them both. Just be polite and know that they might say no. But it is worth a try. Also, if you cruise with Disney, you can order a mickey mouse ice cream bar even though it is not on the menu. There is nothing wrong with asking. On cruises they want you to be happy. If there is something small, they can do to do that than most of the time they are willing to.  

The Complete Guide to Dining Options on Celebrity Cruises

Those are my top 5 tips for dining on a cruise ship. Hopefully, they can be helpful to you if you are confused by cruise dining or are unsure of what to expect. No matter what you are looking for when it comes to cruise ship dining. I am sure you will find something delicious.  

Top 3 best cruise lines for families 

One of the biggest struggles when booking a cruise is picking a cruise line. This becomes even harder when you are cruising with a wide range of ages. Finding a cruise line that will entertain your kids as well as your teens. On top of giving you somewhere to relax and enjoy your trip. As someone who has cruised on many different cruise lines, here are what I consider to be the top 3 best cruise lines for families.  

1. Disney

Most people see Disney cruise line and assume that it is just for kids. I have sailed with Disney twice, once as a kid and once as a teen, and I think it can be fun for all ages. What does DCL offer for kids? Disney cruise line has some of the best kids’ clubs on the sea. The kids are divided into three clubs depending on age. The Oceaneer’s club for ages 3-12, the edge for ages 11-14 and the vibe for ages 14-17. These age divisions are nice because if you have a kid who is 11 or 14, they can go to whichever club they want. So, if they have siblings who are a little older or younger that they want to be with they can. The Oceaneer’s club is of course themed around different Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel movies. However, the older clubs aren’t themed around these films. These clubs are also safe because only the professionally trained staff are allowed into the kids’ club. You are also given a wave phone so that you can be contacted if your child needs you. Disney also offers a program where your kid can get picked up during dinner by Oceaneer club staff so that you can have a peaceful meal and your kid can have fun. Even if your kid is not interested in kids’ clubs there are pools, waterslides, movies, and character meetings. What does DCL offer for teens? For teens there is the vibe club which offers video games and activities such as karaoke. On some ships the vibe also has a hot tub just for the teens. Other than that, they also can use the pools and waterslides. However, if your teen can’t stand DIsney they may not have as much fun as they would on other cruise lines. What does DCL offer for adults? Disney cruises have an adult only pool and café, they also have a spa available on board as well as some adult only dining options in Palo and Remy. However, you have to make reservations for those in advance. There are also a few different bars and lounges on each ship but those become adults only at 9 o’clock and before that point they may be used to host trivia, a magic show or some other all ages activity. Also, Disney is one of the only cruise lines that doesn’t have casinos on their ships. Key points: Disney offers great kids’ clubs and a few adults-only spaces. However, if the adults or teens in your group aren’t big Disney fans, they may not enjoy it as much as the kids.  

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2. Norwegian

I have cruised Norwegian once and they offer a variety of things for all ages. I think Norwegian is a line that you either love or hate. Because their big selling point is there any time dining. Anytime dining is exactly what it sounds like unlike other cruise lines where you are assigned a time and location to dine at, Norwegian lets you dine at any restaurant at any time which can be nice if you are traveling with kids who have to eat at certain times. What does Norwegian offer for kids? Norwegian offers kids’ clubs. Unlike Disney, kids are divided into 2 groups instead of 3. The groups are Splash Academy for kids ages 3-12 and entourage for teens ages 14-17. The kids’ clubs are not themed, but they offer activities such as sports, videogames, dance parties, crafts, and karaoke. Depending on the ship you are on you will also be able to enjoy pools, water slides, go karts and rock climbing. What does Norwegian offer for teens? For teens Norwegian has a teen club where they can make friends and do activities together. There are also waterslides, go karts, rock climbing, arcades, and bowling alleys. If you’re looking for something specific make sure the ship, you’re sailing has it. If your teen is a thrill seeker or they just enjoy these sorts of activities, they might enjoy the freedom Norwegian offers. What does Norwegian offer for adults? For adults Norwegian offers a spa, a gym, and a casino. As well as having many dining options some of them are an extra fee. There are also a variety of bars and lounges. Key points: Norwegians anytime dining and flexible schedule allow for a more laid-back cruise experience. They offer a variety of different features, but you need to investigate specific ships to see if they offer what you are looking for. A good option for cruising with a wide range of ages and if you aren’t as interested in a formal cruise experience.  

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3. Celebrity

I have cruised celebrity once as an older kid (11-12) and it was one of my favorite cruise experiences. Celebrity has elements of traditional cruising such as formal nights as well as elements of family cruising such as kids’ clubs. When I was a kid, I was never a fan of kids’ clubs on cruise ships. However, I did spend more time in the kids’ club on Celebrity then I did on Norwegian. What does Celebrity Cruises offer for kids? They offer their Camp at Sea program. The program is offered in one space. Within that space they break the kids up into different age groups. They have Shipmates 3–5–year–olds, Cadets ages 6–9, and Captains 10–12–year–olds. Like other kids clubs they do arts and crafts, board games, video games and talent shows. They have pools and lots of kid friendly food. What does Celebrity Cruises offer for teens? For teens there is a teen club for ages 13-17. Where they offer video games, parties, and other activities. What does Celebrity Cruises offer for adults? For adults they offer a spa, a gym, a variety of specialty dining options and a casino. Key points: Celebrity is a great choice for multigenerational families because it offers something for everyone. While it does not have the crazy water slides and other attractions than other cruise lines do, it is a good marriage between the cruise experience and the family experience.  

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So, what cruise line should I sail with?  

Sail with Disney if 

• You are a family of Disney fans  
• You have young kids  
• You do not want to spend too much extra money onboard  
• You want a smaller ship  

Do not sail with DIsney if  

• You or anyone else in your party hates Disney 
• You are trying to save money  
• You want a casino  

Sail with Norwegian if  

• You have a family that wants a variety of onboard entertainment  
• You want a freestyle cruising experience  
• You want a bigger ship 

Do not sail with Norwegian if  

• Your family is not interested in onboard attractions (water slides, go karts)  
• You prefer a dining schedule  
• You want a smaller ship 

Sail with Celebrity if  

• You want a classic cruise experience 
• You do not care about water slides and other attractions 
• You are cruising with an autistic person  

Don’t sail with Celebrity if 

• You do not want classic cruise experiences such as formal night 
• You want something with more onboard attractions  
• You want a freestyle cruise experience 

Hopefully, this can help give you some ideas as to what some different cruise lines offer for different ages. No matter what cruise line you decide to book with you and your family are sure to have a wonderful time.